The powerful Chinese commence their Uber Cup title defence against Russia in the afternoon session (2 p.m.), while their men take the courts versus France at 7 p.m.

Denmark’s Thomas Cup tie against Hong Kong will elicit more than usual interest, with the Danes affected by the sudden withdrawal of their Men’s Doubles specialist Mathias Boe due to a medical condition. Boe has been replaced by Anders Skaarup Rasmussen. Boe’s regular partner Carsten Mogensen has been paired with veteran Joachim Fischer Nielsen for the second doubles.

European champion Jan O Jorgensen faces Hu Yun in the first singles. Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding take on the duty of first doubles against Ng Ka Long/Law Cheuk Him.

Swiss Open champion Viktor Axelsen will match wits with Wei Nan in second singles while Mogensen/Fischer Nielsen are up against Tang Chun Man/Lee Chun Hei in second doubles. If the tie goes to the final match, youngster Emil Holst will shoulder the responsibility for Denmark against Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki.

“It was a surprise. We were almost ready to go and then we found he had to have an operation. It’s a very tight group, with lots of interesting matches. I think Japan and Denmark are favourites to progress but it will be tough. Hong Kong has a strong singles squad and the English have a good singles player and two good doubles. We have to play well, but I believe we have the team strength to go to the quarters.”

Denmark have a relatively inexperienced singles line-up in the Uber Cup, but Uhre believed they could still qualify for the quarter-finals. “It’s an open group. Japan are favourites to win the group and then the other three teams are even. There will be some interesting matches, but our girls have improved a lot. They did well at the European Championships, now we need to see how far they can go at the world level.”

Veteran doubles player Christinna Pedersen conceded the young singles players will have their hands full but hopes they can still qualify behind Japan.

“We have chances in the group but it’s going to be difficult. We have a young team that lacks experience. Kamilla (Rytter Juhl) and I are used to playing the second match. We will try to help the young players as much as we can. They played well at the European Championships. They will get some experience, I hope they can take some of the good things when we’re playing here in India.

“Kamilla was injured the last two weeks so we haven’t played at home that much. Our preparation has not been that good. If the team can play close to our best level, I think we have a chance against Malaysia, and I think that’s the key match for who’s going to be runner-up in the group. It’s going to be difficult against Japan. They have two good women’s doubles. We need to be at our best against them. It’s going to be tough for the young players, but I think they can push them if they believe in themselves.”

Pedersen has had good memories of playing at the Siri Fort Complex, having made one India Open final and a semi-final.

“Kamilla and I have enjoyed playing in India because the crowd has supported us. We have done well here. I expect that the court will be a bit fast.”